The Edmonton Oilers will once again be without their superstar duo when they visit the Seattle Kraken in Thursday NHL betting action at Climate Pledge Arena. Both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl remain sidelined indefinitely by injuries suffered last week, complicating the third-place Oilers’ bid to overtake the Vegas and Los Angeles in the Pacific Division standings.
The Kraken return home on the rebound after falling to defeat in three straight road contests, capped by a 4-3 loss in Calgary on Tuesday night, but have claimed the win in three of their past five home dates. The depleted Oilers arrive in Seattle pegged as slender -115 favorites on the Thursday NHL odds. The Kraken are listed as a -105 bet and the total sits at 6.0.
Thursday’s matchup wraps up the four-game season series between these Pacific Division rivals. The Oilers swept the first three dates of the campaign between the clubs, capped by last Saturday’s 5-4 victory in Edmonton, and have now taken home the win in nine straight meetings with the Kraken and in each of their past six visits to Seattle.
The Kraken have struggled to produce steady offense when facing Edmonton, averaging just 2.14 goals per game over their past seven overall tilts and scoring just 13 total markers during their six-game home slide. The Kraken have also struggled defensively during their overall three-game swoon, allowing 4.33 goals per game.
The Oilers have managed to remain somewhat productive in the absence of Draisaitl and McDavid, averaging 3.67 goals per game, but have taken a step back defensively since allowing just three total goals during a recent three-game surge, giving up four goals in each date during their current 1-1-1 run. That has extended the win streak for sports bettors taking the OVER to four games.
The Oilers will be missing starting goaltender Stuart Skinner, who is not making the trip to Seattle after suffering an injury in Wednesday night’s 4-3 loss to Dallas. That opens the door for veteran Calvin Pickard to make his first start in 10 days. The 32-year-old has been outstanding in his past two starts, turning aside 53 off 55 total shots while backstopping the club to wins over Utah HC and the New York Islanders but was rocked for four goals on just 11 shots before getting the hook 19 minutes into the club’s 6-2 loss to Anaheim on March 4.
The Oilers attack has faltered in the absence of McDavid and Draisaitl. While the club has scored 11 times in the past three games, they have leaned heavily on special teams, with five of their eight goals over the past two games coming with the extra man. Edmonton also saw just two of their five goals in last weekend’s win over the Kraken come at even strength. Veteran Jeff Skinner has remained a key contributor, scoring three even-strength goals over the past three games and offers intriguing +1600 odds on the Thursday NHL props to open the scoring on Thursday.
The Kraken will be aiming to tighten things up at both ends of the ice on Thursday night. Probable starting netminder Philipp Grubauer has been hot and cold, particularly on home ice, where he has allowed three goals four times while going 1-3-1 over his past four starts. The Kraken offense has also stumbled out of the gate during the team’s three-game slide, scoring just one total first-period goal over that stretch and have held the lead after 20 minutes just once in five games.
Jaden Schwartz has remained steady, getting in on three of the team’s seven total goals over the past two games while Jared McCann aims to duplicate the two-assist performance he produced in Edmonton last weekend. The Oilers will need to find a way to continue their dominance over the Kraken while the home team looks to bounce back from their recent struggles.
As the Oilers and Kraken prepare for their final meeting of the regular season, both teams will be looking to make a statement. The Oilers hope to solidify their playoff positioning, while the Kraken aim to regain their footing at home. With injuries affecting both sides, this matchup promises to be a thrilling contest.
The Oilers have a record of 41-25-5 overall, while the Kraken sit at 30-36-6. The Oilers have been strong on the road, boasting a 19-13-2 record away from home, while the Kraken have struggled at home with a 16-15-5 record. The stakes are high as both teams fight for their respective goals as the regular season draws to a close.
In terms of injuries, the Oilers are also dealing with the absence of Zach Hyman, who is questionable for the game against the Kraken. Meanwhile, the Kraken are facing their own injury woes, with several players listed as questionable. The outcome of this game could hinge on which team can best navigate their injury challenges.
As the puck drops at 10:00 p.m. ET, fans can expect an intense battle on the ice. Will the Oilers continue their winning streak against the Kraken, or will Seattle find a way to turn the tide? With both teams looking to capitalize on their opportunities, this matchup is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
With the Oilers missing their star players, others like Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will need to step up their game. Hyman has been particularly active, generating a higher shot volume in the absence of McDavid and Draisaitl, while Nugent-Hopkins has consistently found the net in recent games. The Kraken will need to tighten their defense and find a way to score early to set the tone for the game.
As the teams prepare for what promises to be a thrilling matchup, the Oilers will look to solidify their playoff position while the Kraken aim to regain their home ice advantage. The outcome of this game could have significant implications for both teams as they head into the final stretch of the regular season.
